Your Best Future Guests Have Already Stayed With You | StayFi's Arthur Colker

Ever wondered how to turn an Airbnb or Vrbo guest into a repeat guest you can actually market to? In this episode, we sit down with Arthur Kolker, founder of StayFi, to explore how short-term rental operators can build stronger guest relationships and grow their direct-booking business. We dig into how StayFi uses the Wi-Fi login experience to capture guest information naturally, without adding extra forms or friction to the stay. Rory shares his firsthand experience using StayFi across multiple properties, including some of the real-world challenges around Wi-Fi networks, mesh systems, and smart lock connectivity. Arthur also explains why building a guest database is one of the most important steps operators can take if they want to generate repeat stays and rely less on booking platforms. We also explore StayFi Express, automated email marketing, anniversary campaigns, gap-night promotions, and StayFinder — a tool designed to help travelers discover direct-booking options from independent vacation rental operators. **Things we discussed in this episode:** Building a guest database for repeat and direct bookings Using Wi-Fi to capture guest information naturally How captive portals and splash pages work in vacation rentals Why traditional email platforms can fall short for STR operators Setting up StayFi with existing Wi-Fi and mesh networks Wi-Fi connectivity challenges with smart locks and other devices Why consistent email marketing matters more than one-off campaigns Automated emails, anniversary campaigns, and gap-night promotions Using guest data to increase repeat stays and occupancy StayFinder and helping travelers discover direct-booking options Comparing direct pricing while searching on major booking platforms Creating additional revenue through upsells, experiences, and add-ons Building stronger relationships with guests after their first stay Reducing long-term dependence on third-party booking platforms Get in touch with **ARTHUR**: **Facebook** - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/a.colker/⁠ **Instagram** - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/a\_colker/?hl=en⁠ **Website** - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stayfi.com/⁠ **#SmartStayShow #realestate #realestateinvestor #realestateagent #RealEstateInvesting #DirectBooking #BookDirect #EmailMarketing #GuestExperience #OwnYourGuest#StayFi #StayFinder #WiFiMarketing #HospitalityTech #PropTech** **Follow Us!** **Join Jason Muth of Prideaway Stays and Straightforward Short-Term Rentals and Real Estate Attorney / Broker Rory Gill for the first episode of SmartStay Show!** **Following and subscribing to SmartStay Show not only ensures that you'll get instant updates whenever we release a new episode, but it also helps us reach more people who could benefit from the valuable content that we provide.**